On Friday, October 3, Newtown Friends Meeting opened their meetinghouse to visitors and neighbors during the town’s annual Market Day. Friends offered tours of the building and the burial grounds, where Edward Hicks, a co-founder of the meeting, is buried. Copies of Edwards’ Peaceable Kingdom paintings were displayed for guests who came through.
Planning for the event began with a clear question of connection. “We identified 130 households that lived within walking distance of the meetinghouse,” said Brad Sheeks. “Fourteen volunteers hand-delivered flyers to those homes. Each person had a short list of six or seven addresses, and they went door to door.”
It was the first time the meeting had reached out this way. “We knocked on the door, hoping somebody would answer,” Brad said. “If not, we left the flyer. It’s the standard house-to-house approach. People know how to do that if they’ve worked on a campaign.”
Neighbors responded well. “We got a very cordial response from people who opened the door,” Brad said. “Newtown Meeting has a good reputation in town, so folks were free to receive an invitation.”
On the day of the Open House, Friends set out a sign that read Welcome to the Open House with an arrow to guide visitors inside. About thirty people came through the doors. Friends greeted them, offered cider, and shared conversation about the meeting’s history and worship community. “We had people sign in,” Brad said. “Some gave their names and email addresses, and we’ll follow up.”
The meeting plans on doing something similar next fall, Brad mentioned. “We’re going to do this every fall when there’s a Market Day,” Brad said. “Next year, we’ll rent a table out on the street.”
Newtown Friends Meeting Flier
